As was the case last season, the battle to be crowned “happy hooker” in the EP Kings team will once again be fiercely contested. News that former Toulouse hooker Martin van der Heever is on trial at the Kings means there could be five hookers fighting to be chosen in the starting lineup.

The other hookers on the books of the Kings are Edgar Marutlulle, Martin Ferreira, Albe de Swardt and Michael van Vuuren.

The favourite to be chosen in the starting lineup for the Kings’ first match against the Kenyan Simba XV at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 21 is Marutlulle.

His aggressive play saw him become crowd favourite, but he knows he will face stiff opposition to retain his No 1 ranking this year.

– George Byron

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